Wall Reinforcement System

ABSTRACT

A wall reinforcement system is provided. The wall reinforcement system includes a plurality of spaced apart channels formed in a side of a wall. At least one reinforcement rod is positioned in each of the channels. The at least one reinforcement rod is formed from basalt fibers. An adhesive mixture is positioned in each of the channels and configured to retain the at least one reinforcement rods within the channels.

BACKGROUND

Certain portions of buildings, such as for example, the foundation wallscan be constructed of concrete masonry units (commonly called concreteblocks). The concrete blocks are typically stacked in staggered coursesand bound together by mortar. Although walls formed from concrete blockare strong in compression, they can have little tensile strength and aretypically more vulnerable to lateral forces than walls formed from solidconcrete materials. As one non-limiting example, when the concrete blockwall is located fully or partially below ground, as is often the casewith a foundation wall, it can be acted upon by the soil that istypically back-filled against the foundation wall. Considerable lateralforces can be exerted against the foundation wall by the soil during aperiod of expansion and also by hydrostatic pressure. In certaininstances, these lateral forces can cause the foundation wall to bowinwardly and develop cracks, primarily in the horizontal mortar jointsthat are especially susceptible to damage. In extreme cases, the entirefoundation wall can buckle and cause extensive structural damage to thefoundation and the overlying building.

In order to overcome this problem, methods have been proposed forstrengthening and reinforcing a wall formed from concrete block afterthe foundation wall and the overlying building have been constructed.Such methods can involve the insertion of steel reinforcement rods intothe vertical channels or passages that are formed within the wall by thealigned cavities in the individual blocks. During the initialconstruction, rods can be installed from the top of the concrete blockwall without great difficulty. However, once the building has beencompleted, it can be necessary to open up the concrete block wall fromthe basement side in order to gain access to the passages forinstallation of the reinforcement rods. The need to access the passagesin the concrete block units can require considerable time and effort,both in forming openings to the passages and in repairing the opening atthe end of the procedure. Even more importantly, the relatively largeamount of material that is broken away from the blocks during formationof the openings detracts significantly from the overall strength of theconcrete block wall. Therefore, the formation of large access openingsin the concrete block wall is highly undesirable and should be avoidedif possible.

It would be advantageous if the reinforcement of concrete block wallscould be improved.

SUMMARY

It should be appreciated that this Summary is provided to introduce aselection of concepts in a simplified form, the concepts being furtherdescribed below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is notintended to identify key features or essential features of thisdisclosure, not is it intended to limit the scope of the wallreinforcement system.

The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumeratedare achieved by a wall reinforcement system. The wall reinforcementsystem includes a plurality of spaced apart channels formed in a side ofa wall. At least one reinforcement rod is positioned in each of thechannels. The at least one reinforcement rod is formed from basaltfibers. An adhesive mixture is positioned in each of the channels andconfigured to retain the at least one reinforcement rods within thechannels.

The above objects as well as other objects not specifically enumeratedare also achieved by a method of forming a reinforced wall. The methodincludes the steps of forming a plurality of channels in a side of awall, seating at least one reinforcement rod in each of the channels,the at least one reinforcement rod formed from basalt fibers and fillingeach of the channels with an adhesive mixture positioned in a manner toretain the at least one reinforcement rod within the channels.

Various objects and advantages of the wall reinforcement system willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the illustrated embodiments, when read in light of theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cutaway perspective view of a concrete masonry unit wallthat is conventional in the art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional lone concrete blockforming a portion of the concrete masonry unit wall of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a channeled concrete block.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the concrete masonry unit wall of FIG.1, illustrating a plurality of reinforcement channels formed therein.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the concrete masonry unit wall of FIG. 4,illustrating a plurality of reinforcement rods positioned within thereinforcement channels.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the concrete masonry unit wall ofFIG. 4, illustrating a reinforcement rod positioned within thereinforcement channel and an applied adhesive mixture.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the concrete masonry unit wall of FIG. 4,illustrating a plurality of reinforcement rods positioned within areinforcement channel and extending below a concrete slab forming abasement floor.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the concrete masonryunit wall of FIG. 4, illustrating a method of anchoring thereinforcement rod to sill plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The wall reinforcement system will now be described with occasionalreference to the specific embodiments. The wall reinforcement systemmay, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the wall reinforcementsystem to those skilled in the art.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which the wall reinforcement system belongs. The terminologyused in the description of the wall reinforcement system herein is fordescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting of the wall reinforcement system. As used in the description ofthe wall reinforcement system and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofdimensions such as length, width, height, and so forth as used in thespecification and claims are to be understood as being modified in allinstances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated,the numerical properties set forth in the specification and claims areapproximations that may vary depending on the desired properties soughtto be obtained in embodiments of the wall reinforcement system.Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the wall reinforcement system are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical values, however, inherently containcertain errors necessarily resulting from error found in theirrespective measurements.

The description and figures disclose a wall reinforcement systemconfigured for use with walls formed from concrete masonry units(commonly referred to as “CMU walls”). Generally, the wall reinforcementsystem utilizes a plurality of basalt fiber based reinforcement rodspositioned in vertically oriented channels formed in an interior face ofthe wall. The basalt fiber based reinforcement rods are retained in thechannels by a structural adhesive mixture.

The term “concrete masonry unit” as used herein, is defined to mean anygenerally rectangular block used in building construction.

Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a conventional wall formedfrom concrete masonry units (hereafter “concrete blocks”) is showngenerally at 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the wall 10 isa conventional basement wall as can be found in residential structures.However, it should be appreciated that the wall 10 can be found in otherstructures and used for other purposes.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the wall 10 is, for the most part, locatedbelow the level of the adjacent soil 12. A footing 14 supports the wall10. In the illustrated embodiment, the footing 14 is formed fromconcrete. However, in other embodiments, the footing 14 can be formedfrom other materials sufficient to support the wall 10.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a concrete slab 16 extends from a base of thewall 10 and extends to an interior area of a basement in a manner suchas to form a basement floor. Typically, a portion of the slab 16 restson the concrete footing 14 for support.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the wall 10 is formed from a pluralityof conventional concrete blocks 18, each having a generally rectangularconfiguration.

Each concrete block 18 has an outer sidewall 20 and an inner sidewall22. Each concrete block 18 also has end walls 24 that extend between thesidewalls 20 and 22 at the opposite ends of the concrete block 18. Oneor more center webs 26 can extend across an internal cavity of eachblock 18, between the sidewalls 20 and 22. Between the one or morecenter webs 26 and each end wall 24, a plurality of generally squareopen cavities 28 a, 28 b can be formed. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2, each concrete block 18 has two of the cavities 28 a, 28 blocated in a side-by-side orientation. However, it should be appreciatedthat in other embodiments the concrete blocks 18 can have otherstructures and can have more or less two cavities 28 a, 28 b.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, in constructing the wall 10, theplurality of concrete blocks 18 are arranged in an end-to-endorientation in rows or courses 29 that are stacked on top of oneanother. Adjacent concrete block 18 in each course 29 are bound togetherend-to-end by vertical mortar joints 30. Each concrete block 18 is alsobound to adjacent concrete blocks 18 in the underlying and overlyingcourses 29 by horizontal mortar joints 32. Typically, each course 29 ofconcrete blocks 18 is staggered relative to the underlying and overlyingcourse 29 by a distance equal to half a length of a concrete block 18.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the bottom course of concrete blocks 18 isdesignated by reference character 36 and is positioned directly on thefooting 14 and partially below the upper surface of the concrete slab 16forming the basement floor. The top course of concrete blocks 18 isdesignated by reference character 38 and is provided with one or moreoverlying sill plates 40. The sill plates 40 cover the inner sidewall 22of the concrete blocks 18 forming the top course 38. A floor of thebuilding that is supported on the wall 10 can include substantiallyparallel floor joists 42 secured at their ends by band joists 43.

In certain instances, the expansion of the adjacent soil 12, caused bythermal variations and other natural conditions, including hydrostaticpressure, can cause the wall 10 to bow inwardly and to develop cracks inthe vertical and/or horizontal mortar joints 30, 32. The development ofcracks can result in the leakage of water through the wall 10 and cansignificantly impair the structural integrity of the wall 10. The wallreinforcement system provides a structure and method by which the wall10 can be strengthened and reinforced after the wall 10 and theoverlying building have been fully constructed.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a reinforced wall 110 can be formedby the addition of a plurality of reinforcement rods 50, each positionedin a substantially vertically oriented reinforcement channel 52. Thereinforcement rods 50 are retained in the respective reinforcementchannels 52 by an adhesive mixture 54. As will be described in moredetail below, the vertically oriented reinforcement channels 52 arespaced apart along the reinforced wall 110.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the reinforcement channel 52 is illustrated asformed in the concrete block 18, thereby forming a channeled concreteblock 118. The reinforcement channel 52 extends from a bottom face 56 toa top face 58 of the channeled concrete block 118. The reinforcementchannel 52 has a depth d and a width w. The depth d is configured in amanner such that the reinforcement rod 50 can be entirely containedwithin the reinforcement channel 52 without any portion of thereinforcement rod 50 extending beyond a plane defining the innersidewall 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the depth d is in a range offrom about 0.125 inches to about 0.625 inches. However, in otherembodiments, the depth d can be less than about 0.125 inches or morethan about 0.625 inches, sufficient that the reinforcement rod 50 can beentirely contained within the reinforcement channel 52 without anyportion of the reinforcement rod 50 extending beyond a plane definingthe inner sidewall 22.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the width w of the reinforcement channel 52is configured to contain the reinforcement rod 50 and a quantity ofadhesive mixture 54 sufficient to retain the reinforcement rod 50 withinthe reinforcement channel 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the width wis in a range of from about 0.125 inches to about 0.625 inches. However,in other embodiments, the width w can be less than about 0.125 inches ormore than about 0.625 inches, sufficient to retain the reinforcement rod50 within the reinforcement channel 52. As can be seen in FIG. 3, thereinforcement channel 52 has a limited depth d, such as to avoidengagement with the cavities 28 a, 28 b. Advantageously, the limiteddepth d of the reinforcement results in retaining the structuralintegrity of the channeled concrete block 118 after the reinforcementchannel 52 has been formed.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the reinforcement channel 52 is formed in thereinforcement block 118 by a cutting mechanism, such as the non-limitingexample of a chasing saw (not shown). However, it should be appreciatedthat the reinforcement channel 52 can be formed in other manners withother forming implements.

Referring again to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the reinforcement channel 52 hasthe cross-sectional shape of a rectangle. However, it should beappreciated that in other embodiments, the reinforcement channel 52 canhave other cross-sectional shapes, such as the non-limiting examples ofan arcuate or semi-circular cross-sectional shape.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the reinforcement rods 50 are illustrated. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the reinforcement rods 50 are formed from aplurality of individual basalt fibers 60 that have been wound togetherinto a continuous spiral shape. The individual basalt fibers 60 havebeen formed from crushing natural volcanic rocks and melting the crushedrocks to high temperatures. The melted basalt is extruded from orificesand subsequently the temperature gradually decreases. The basalt fiberbased reinforcement rod 50 has a diameter di, a density and a fiber 60diameter. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter di is in a rangeof from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches, the density is in arange of from about 150.0 lbs/ft³ to about 190.0 lbs/ft³ and the fiber60 diameter is in a range of from about 9.0μ to about 23.0μ. Inalternate embodiments, the diameter di can be less than about 0.25inches or more than about 0.50 inches, the density can be less thanabout 150.0 lbs/ft³ or more than about 190.0 lbs/ft^(3 and) the fiber 60diameter can be less than about 9.0μ or more than about 23.0μ,sufficient for the functions described herein.

The use of basalt materials to form the basalt fibers 60 and theresulting basalt fiber based reinforcement rod 50 provides manystructural benefits over rods formed from conventional reinforcementmaterials. First, the basalt fiber based reinforcement rod 50 providesimproved tensile strength. As one non-limiting example, the basalt fiberbased reinforcement rod 50 provides a tensile strength of about 4840.0megapascals (MPa). Second, the basalt-based reinforcement rod 50provides a compressive strength of about 3792.0 megapascals (MPa).Third, the basalt fiber based reinforcement rod 50 provides an ElasticModulus of about 89.0 megapascals (MPa). Fourth, the basalt fiber basedreinforcement rod 50 provides an elongation at break of about 3.15%.Fifth, the basalt fiber based reinforcement rod 50 provides a thermalexpansion coefficient of about 8.0% parts per million per degreeCentigrade (ppm/° C.). Finally, the basalt fiber based reinforcement rod50 provides an absorption of humidity rating of <0.1 (65% RAH).

As provided by the qualitative measures described above, the use ofbasalt materials to form the basalt fibers 60 and the resulting basaltfiber based reinforcement rod 50 advantageously improves the tensilestrength of the reinforcement rod 50, provides thermal stability, isnon-reactive with air or water, is non-corrosive and alkali resistant,provides advanced heat and sound insulating properties, isnon-combustible, explosion proof and non-toxic.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an enlarged view of a portion of a channeledconcrete block 118 is shown with the basalt fiber based reinforcementrod 50 embedded within the reinforcement channel 52. The basalt fiberbased reinforcement rod 50 is retained in the reinforcement channel 52by the adhesive mixture 54. The adhesive mixture 54 forms a front face62 that is flush with the inner sidewall 22 of the channeled concreteblock 118. The flush front face 62 of the adhesive mixture 54advantageously maintains an aesthetically pleasing appearance of thereinforced wall 110.

Referring again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the adhesive mixture54 is formed from a multi-purpose, two component, 100% solids, andmoisture-tolerant structural epoxy adhesive. The adhesive mixture 54 isconfigured to provide several structural characteristics. First, theadhesive mixture 54 provides improved tensile strength over conventionaladhesives. As one non-limiting example, the adhesive mixture 54 providesa tensile strength of about 48.0 megapascals (MPa). Second, the adhesivemixture 54 provides a compressive strength of about 86.9 megapascals(MPa). Third, the adhesive mixture 54 provides an Elastic Modulus ofabout 3726.0 megapascals (MPa). Fourth, the adhesive mixture 54 providesan elongation at break of about 1.9%. Fifth, the adhesive mixture 54provides a tensile adhesion strength rating of about 13.8 megapascals(MPa). Finally, the adhesive mixture 54 provides a shear strength ratingof about 43 megapascals (MPa).

Referring again to FIG. 6, one non-limiting example of a suitableadhesive mixture is Sikadur®-32 Hi-Mod, manufactured and distributed bySika Corporation, headquartered in Lyndhurst, N.J. However, in otherembodiments, other adhesive mixtures can be used, suitable for thefunctions described herein.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the reinforcement channels 52 are spaced aparta distance cs. The spaced apart distance cs is a function of the type ofadjacent soil 12, an overall wall height wh and a height of the adjacentsoil sh.

As a first example, in the instance that the soil type is sandy gravel,the spaced apart distances cs (in inches) of the reinforcement channels52 are shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Distance (cs) Between Reinforcement Channels For Sandy GravelSoil Height Wall Height (wh) (feet) (sh) (feet) 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.06.0 40.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 48.0 6.5 32.0 32.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 7.0 24.032.0 32.0 32.0 32.0 7.5 24.0 24.0 24.0 32.0 8.0 16.0 24.0 24.0 8.5 16.016.0 9.0 16.0 16.0 9.5 8.0 10.0 8.0

As a second example, in the instance that the soil type is clayeygravel, the spaced apart distances cs (in inches) of the reinforcementchannels 52 are shown in Table 2 below.

TABLE 2 Distance (cs) Between Reinforcement Channels For Clayey GravelSoil Height Wall Height (wh) (feet) (sh) (feet) 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.06.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 40.0 48.0 6.5 32.0 32.0 32.0 32.0 32.0 7.0 24.024.0 24.0 24.0 32.0 7.5 16.0 16.0 24.0 24.0 8.0 16.0 16.0 16.0 8.5 8.016.0 9.0 8.0 8.0 9.5 8.0 10.0 8.0

As a final example, in the instance that the soil type is clayey sand,the spaced apart distance cs (in inches) of the reinforcement channels52 is shown in Table 3 below.

TABLE 3 Distance (cs) Between Reinforcement Channels For Clayey SandSoil Height Wall Height (wh) (feet) (sh) (feet) 10.0 9.0 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.06.0 32.0 32.0 32.0 32.0 32.0 40.0 6.5 24.0 24.0 24.0 32.0 32.0 7.0 16.016.0 24.0 24.0 24.0 7.5 16.0 16.0 16.0 24.0 8.0 8.0 8.0 16.0 8.5 8.0 8.09.0 8.0 8.0 9.5 8.0 10.0 8.0

Referring now to FIG. 7, the reinforced wall 110 is illustrated. Thereinforced wall 110 includes the reinforcement rod 50 positioned withinthe reinforcement channel 52. The reinforcement channel 52 extends in adownward direction past the concrete slab 16 to the footing 14. Thereinforcement rod 50 also extends past the concrete slab 16, within thereinforcement channel 52 and is fastened to the footing 14 with theadhesive mixture 54.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the reinforcement channel 52 extends in anupward direction to the sill plates 40. The reinforcement rod 50 alsoextends to the sill plates 40. A support 70 extends in a downwarddirection from the sill plates 40 and is connected to the reinforcementrod 50. The support 70 is configured to anchor the reinforcement rod 50to the sill plates 40. In certain instances, the support 70 can extendinto the sill plates 40 and the adjacent floor joists 42. In theillustrated embodiment, the support 70 has the form of a lag screw andthe support 70 is connected to the reinforcement rod 50 with a connector(not shown for purposes of clarity), such as the non-limiting examplesof structural wire, clips, brackets as the like. However, in otherembodiments, the support 70 can be other mechanisms, devices andstructures, and the support 70 can be connected to the reinforcement rod50 with other structural mechanisms and/or devices, sufficient to anchorthe reinforcement rod 50 to the sill plates 40.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the method of installation of the wallreinforcement system will now be described. In a first step, the innersidewalls 22 of the concrete blocks 18 are cleaned to achieve a laitancefree and contaminant free surface. Conventional non-limiting examples ofmethods of cleaning the inner sidewall 22 of the concrete block 18include grinding, shot blasting and water jetting. In a next step, aplurality of spaced apart reinforcement channels 52 are formed in theconcrete blocks 18. The reinforcement channels 52 are spaced apart adistance cs as described above.

Referring again to FIG. 4 in a next step, the adhesive mixture 54 isprepared and applied to the reinforcement channels 52. The reinforcementrods 50 are laid out in the reinforcement channels 52 in a manner suchas to extend past the concrete slab 16 a distance of at least 3.0inches. In a next step, the fastener 70 is inserted into the sill plates40. Finally, the reinforcement rod 50 is connected to the support 70 asdescribed above and shown in FIG. 8, in a manner such as to anchor a topportion of the reinforcement rod 50 to the sill plates 40.

While the wall reinforcement system shown in FIGS. 3-8, is describedabove in relation to walls formed with concrete blocks, it iscontemplated that the wall reinforcement system can be applied to wallsformed with other materials, such as the non-limiting examples of pouredconcrete walls, framework walls and stonewalls.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principleand mode of operation of the wall reinforcement system have beenexplained and illustrated in certain embodiments. However, it must beunderstood that the wall reinforcement system may be practiced otherwisethan as specifically explained and illustrated without departing fromits spirit or scope.

1. A wall reinforcement system for an existing wall comprising: aplurality of spaced apart channels formed in an inner sidewall and/or anouter sidewall of a plurality of stacked blocks forming a side of anexisting wall, wherein prior to forming the plurality of spaced apartchannels in the existing wall, the inner sidewall and/or the outersidewall of the stacked blocks have smooth, continuous surfaces withoutchannels, wherein each of the plurality of spaced apart channels extendsin a downward direction to an existing footing; at least onereinforcement rod positioned in each of the channels, the at least onereinforcement rod formed from basalt fibers, the at least onereinforcement rod extending in a downward direction to the existingfooting; and an adhesive mixture positioned in each of the channels andconfigured to retain the at least one reinforcement rods within thechannels in the existing wall and further configured to adhere the atleast one reinforcement rods to the existing footing.
 2. The wallreinforcement system of claim 1, wherein the side of the wall is aninterior side.
 3. The wall reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein eachof the channels has a depth that avoids engagement with cavitiesinternal to the wall.
 4. The wall reinforcement system of claim 1,wherein the at least one reinforcement rod is entirely contained withinthe reinforcement channel without any portion of the reinforcement rodextending beyond a plane defining the side of the wall.
 5. The wallreinforcement system of claim 1, wherein each of the channels has arectangular cross-sectional shape.
 6. The wall reinforcement system ofclaim 1, wherein each of the channels has a depth in a range of fromabout 0.125 inches to about 0.625 inches.
 7. The wall reinforcementsystem of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rodshas a diameter in a range of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50inches.
 8. The wall reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein each of theat least one reinforcement rods has a density in a range of from about150.0 lbs/ft³ to about 190.0 lbs/ft³.
 9. The wall reinforcement systemof claim 1, wherein in an installed position, each of the at least onereinforcement rods extends past a concrete slab forming a basementfloor.
 10. The wall reinforcement system of claim 1, wherein theadhesive mixture is a two-component structural epoxy.
 11. A method ofreinforcing an existing wall, the method comprising the steps of:forming a plurality of channels in an inner sidewall and/or an outersidewall of a plurality of stacked blocks forming a side of an existingwall, wherein prior to forming the plurality of channels in the existingwall, the inner sidewall and/or outer sidewall of the stacked blockshave smooth, continuous surfaces without channels, wherein each of theplurality of spaced apart channels extends in a downward direction to anexisting footing; seating at least one reinforcement rod in each of thechannels, the at least one reinforcement rod formed from basalt fibers,the at least one reinforcement rod extending in a downward direction tothe existing footing; and filling each of the channel with an adhesivemixture positioned in a manner to retain the at least one reinforcementrod within the channels in the existing wall and further configured toadhere the at least one reinforcement rods to the existing footing. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the side of the wall is an interiorside.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the channels has adepth that avoids engagement with cavities internal to the wall.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, including the step of containing the at least onereinforcement rods within the reinforcement channels without any portionof the at least one reinforcement rods extending beyond a plane definingthe side of the wall.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein each of thechannels has a rectangular cross-sectional shape.
 16. The method ofclaim 11, wherein each of the channels has a depth in a range of fromabout 0.125 inches to about 0.625 inches.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rods has a diameter in arange of from about 0.25 inches to about 0.50 inches.
 18. The method ofclaim 11, wherein each of the at least one reinforcement rods has adensity in a range of from about 150.0 lbs/ft³ to about 190.0 lbs/ft³.19. The method of claim 11, including the step of extending the at leastone reinforcement rods past a concrete slab forming a basement floor.20. The method of claim 11, wherein the adhesive mixture is atwo-component structural epoxy.